The Cookie Lady’ ships edible morale to U.S. soldiers

Betty Parise lends her support to the United States Military the best way she can: by baking, informing, and offering other services through a company called Dancing With Cookies.

Jennifer Brier

Betty Parise lends her support to the United States Military the best way she can: by baking, informing, and offering other services through a company called Dancing With Cookies.

A Stoneham resident for the past 25 years, Parise has been sending cookies to countries such as Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait since Nov. 7, 2006.

“I’ve picked a cookie that comes from the Middle East— a cookie that is used to the heat so that it will travel well and withstand the heat when it gets to its destination,” explains Parise, referring to the waffle-like pizzelle.

But the pizzelle is not the only treat she sends the troops.

“Every soldier gets a letter in addition to the cookies. I didn’t put the letter on the Web site because I felt it was personal,” she says, referring to her site, sundaysspecialties.com. “It is a very moving letter and I’ve gotten some nice feedback, [including] cards and pictures. One of the captains sent me the most beautiful letter, which I did put on the Web site, and every time I read it, I cry.

“They get a datebook. It has all the time zones and world maps and important dates for their families. I’ve shipped about 1,000 so far. I’ve footed the bill for most of this through donations. We’ve now become tax exempt.”

But that’s not all.

“We give them a pound of Dunkin’ Donuts coffee when we have the funding,” adds Parise.

“They also get a BCCC agency brochure. I have set up this agency to deal with all of the credit issues that a lot of our National Guard Soldiers, in particular, are experiencing due to their employer not paying them anymore.”

Parise was employed at a string of banks for years, and has often dealt with credit issues.

She welcomes calls from the families of soldiers who are looking to resolve such financial problems.

“I try and get the banks with the lowest fixed rate,” she says. “I work with them and make them an offer. I can save [the families] about 40 percent on their balances.”

Yet Parise is dealing with her own money struggles in sending out her overseas contributions.

“Everything costs money — the packaging, the cartons, the ingredients, the ink,” she explains of the baking and shipping process.

“We haven’t had any donations since September of 2007,” she says. “I have met all my goals up until this time but now we’re at a point where we need funds to continue.”

The “we” Parise speaks of refers to a supportive team she has enlisted, including Wes and Marilyn Suszek, Roy and Judy Babb, Capt. Jacqueline Cole and Lt. Mu Kim and Maureen Buckley. These volunteers have worked on everything from shipping to picking up needed items.

“I cant even being to tell you how much I appreciate their help,” says Parise. “Without them it never could have been done.”

Companies, in addition to individuals, have been assisting Parise’s goodwill mission. Although she currently lacks funding, she is grateful for the businesses that have donated in the past. For instance, AC Moore has contributed ribbons that Parise uses to tie up the cookie packages, and BJ’s has contributed ingredients.

“I want to thank the PRA, the Polaroid Retiree Association, who was my biggest benefactor last year,” having “made the two largest donations that I got,” she says.

Because of the aid of such individuals and companies, Parise has been able to send over 90,000 cookies to the Middle East. She works in mass production, baking 2,500 cookies every two days before a shipment goes out.

“It takes an hour to get everything together and two hours to mix it,” she says before exclaiming, “No lumpy cookies for my boys!”

The entire endeavor began with a posting in a church bulletin at St Joseph’s Parish in Wakefield.

“I thought, wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could send [the troops] some cookies too? I’ve been a baker since I was 11 years old,” Parise says. “I’ve been disabled since 1998 from a car accident and have tried to be a contributor to the community even through I’m disabled. I roll up my sleeves and dig in and start working.”

Parise called up a woman by the name of Kathleen McKenna in response to the church bulletin, and together the two crafted their plans.

The government subsequently approved the business.

“I saw this as an opportunity to help in a different way. My whole family has been in the service. This is my dedication to my soldiers,” she says.

Parise continues, “Sometimes we get a joker card in our lives, but we have to put it aside and do what we can to help out.”

Editor’s note: Betty Parise received the following letter last week in response to one of her cookie care packages.

To Ms. Betty Parise (The Cookie Lady),

I cannot thank you enough for the cookies you have sent and the happiness that they brought. It meant so much to me and my fellow airmen and soldiers. It was a pleasant surprise in a not-so-pleasant environment and we are truly thankful!

I am part of the Comptroller Squadron (Financial Management Customer Service) for all Air Force personnel here at Balad Air Base, Iraq. We have a customer service orientated mission here so we happily share our cookies with the customers. They loved them! We see many soldiers coming right off the battlefield that come in with finance questions. Needless to say, they also enjoyed the cookies immensely! We also work side-by-side with DOD civilian employees that enjoyed them as well. They too said that the cookies made them feel more at home.

I just wanted to send you a quick note of thanks and appreciation for your dedication and the time you spend just to brighten our days. The joy you bring to all military serving in Iraq is immeasurable and invaluable. You truly are a gift to all of us here and for that we say … “Thank you!” You will always be remembered for your kindness and love. But most importantly, thank you for all your prayers as you are now in our prayers as well … take care, ma’am.